Democratic Party Registers Candidates for Next Floor Leader Today... Virtually Settled on "Han Byungdo Nomination"

Seo Youngkyo, Park Jeong, and Baek Hyeryeon Announce They Will Not Run

The race for the next floor leader of the Democratic Party is consolidating around the nomination of Byungdo Han, former floor leader, who is seeking to serve another term.

Byungdo Han, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 27, the Democratic Party is accepting candidate registrations for the next floor leader from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Initially, Assemblywoman Baek Hyeryeon, who had been considering a run for floor leader, announced via her social media account that morning, "I will not run in this floor leader election." She added, "The most important tasks for us are the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration and victory in the local elections through party unity. I will do my best in the role entrusted to me on this path."

Assemblywoman Seo Youngkyo, who had also been considered a potential candidate, announced her decision not to run the previous day via social media, stating, "I will focus on my roles and duties as the chairperson of the parliamentary inquiry committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." Assemblyman Park Jeong also declared on the same day via social media, "For now, the priority is the Democratic Party's victory in the June 3 local elections and the National Assembly by-elections," as he announced his decision not to run.

With all major contenders stepping aside, the possibility is being raised that former floor leader Han, who declared his bid for re-election early on, will run unopposed and be nominated through party consensus. The election will be held in two stages: an online vote by dues-paying party members on May 4 and 5, and a vote by the party's lawmakers at the general assembly on May 6. The results will be determined by combining the lawmakers' votes (80%) and the dues-paying members' votes (20%).

Former floor leader Han took office in January through a by-election and has led the parliamentary caucus for about 100 days. He is credited with demonstrating negotiation skills while handling key issues such as prosecution and judicial reform bills and the Special Act on Investment in the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.